Taste buds

Supporting cells

Form the capsule surrounding the taste receptor cells. These cells support and protect the receptor cells

Taste receptor cells

The are approximately 50 receptor cells in each taste bud. A receptor cell has microvilli, called a "taste hair", protruding through a pore on the apical surface of the taste bud. These hair are the receptor surface for taste stimuli

Vallate papillae

These are large circular papillae with a depression in the middle. There are about 12 of the arranged in a V-shaped row on the back of the tongue. They contain from 100-300 taste buds

Filiform papillae

These are small, spike-like projections found all over the tongue. They are the most abundant papillae, but lack taste buds. They roughen the tongue and aid in food manipulation.

Basal cells

These cells are found peripherally on the base of a taste bud. They develop into supporting cells and then into receptor cells which live about 10 days

Fungiform papillae

These papillae are mushroom-shaped projections found all over the tongue , although they tend to be concentrated on the tip and sides. Each papillae has about five taste buds.

Foliate papillae

These papillae form parallel bands on the sides of the posterior two-thirds of the tongue. They have a few taste buds.